Auckland, New Zealand to Sydney, Australia - 12/15/10Discovering the Maori Coast: 17-night itinerary, December 15, 2010 to January 1, 2011.
Known by the Maoris as “The Land of the Long White Cloud,” New Zealand is the focus of this fascinating voyage. Here, you’ll delve into Maori culture, explore bubbling hot springs, and sail to an active volcano. In Wellington, you’ll ride a cable car and take in the local art galleries and museums. On South Island, you’ll attend a wine-tasting, then on to Christchurch, for a little taste of Britain. You’ll sail into Fjordland National Park before making a spectacular entry into Sydney Harbor on New Year’s Eve.
Join Smithsonian Journeys Guest Speaker Kirt Kempter on this voyage.
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| Cruise OnlyDay
01 | Auckland, New Zealand December 15, 2010
Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand and check into your included hotel. | Day
02 | Auckland, New Zealand December 16, 2010
Morning at leisure. Prior to embarkation, enjoy a highlight tour of Auckland en route to the ship. | Day
03 | Kawau Island December 17, 2010
Explore Kawau Island in the island-studded Hauraki Gulf. Visit the country mansion built in 1862 by the controversial New Zealand governor, Sir George Grey. Situated in a pastoral setting, the mansion has been beautifully restored. See its colonnaded balconies, elegant public rooms, original or reproduction period furnishings and servants’ quarters. Savor a cup of tea and wander the manicured formal gardens. This afternoon hike the scenic trails behind the mansion to spot birds and perhaps parma wallabies. Or take Zodiac excursions to explore Kawau Island’s long bay. (Zodiac landing or touring) | Day
04 | Tauranga / Rotorua December 18, 2010
Discover the country’s most active volcanic landscape on an Ultimate Explorers Experience. The scenic coastal town of Tauranga is the gateway to the famous geothermal region of Rotorua. This Maori area is also known for its superb handicrafts. Take an all-day tour of the area, driving through Te Puke – the “Kiwifruit Capital” of New Zealand – and the town of Rotorua to the Te Puia Thermal Reserve. View thermal springs, spouting geysers and bubbling mud-pots in this surreal landscape. Also visit the authentically reproduced, early Maori Model Village to see Maori carvers and weavers at work. Then enjoy lunch and a fascinating Maori performance. Take a guided tour of the Rotorua Museum to learn about the rich culture, volatile landscape and legendary figures of the Rotorua region. Watch films on the 1886 eruption of Tarawera Mountain, one of the worst recorded natural disasters in New Zealand history, and the Maori Battalion’s valiant battles in Europe and North Africa during World War II.
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05 | White Island December 19, 2010
Explore White Island, one of New Zealand’s highlights and sole active marine volcano. Located off the shores of Whakatane, White Island is accessible only by boat. The mountain has great significance in Maori legends – it was the generator of fire that spread to other sacred volcanoes of the North Island. Meet local guides, don hard hat and gas mask, and go ashore for a two-hour walk through moon-like terrain with steam-spewing fumaroles. See the remains of the old sulphur-mining factory, abandoned in 1914. Venture right up to the main crater’s edge to view its acid lake below. | Day
06 | Napier December 20, 2010
Enjoy a guided tour of Napier, rebuilt in Art Deco style after being mostly destroyed by an earthquake in 1931. Napier is the only New Zealand cultural site to be nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status. See its eclectic mix of 1920’s and 1930’s buildings in Art Deco style, on a coach and walking tour – a highlight being the National Tobacco Building, a masterpiece of Art Deco. Then, head into the countryside for a picturesque drive to a winery in the Gimblett Gravels area of Hastings. Your local expert will discuss en route how this region’s unique climate affects the excellent quality of the wines for which the Hawkes Bay region is known. Enjoy a tasting of these fine wines, plus fresh local fruits, artisan cheeses and meats, which will delight the palate. | Day
07 | Wellington December 21, 2010
Arrive in New Zealand’s capital at the southern tip of the North Island – making Wellington the world’s southernmost capital city. It has a thriving cultural scene and film industry, which produced Lord of the Rings. Visit the nearby Karori Sanctuary, dedicated to restoration of the area before humans arrived. Enjoy a guided tour to see many of New Zealand's rarest birds, insects and reptiles living in their natural environment. Learn about New Zealand’s wildlife and conservation efforts. Take a ride on Ara Kawau – a silent electric boat – to see and hear birds deep in the native bush. Then visit the Te Papa Museum in Wellington, starting at its marae (communal meeting place), designed and created by leading Māori artists. See the museum’s taonga (Maori cultural treasures) and learn how taonga are essential in Maori heritage. Hear how Maori traditionally gathered food, medicines and materials for clothing from the forest.
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08 | Kaikoura December 22, 2010
Arrive in Kaikoura with its stunning backdrop of the snow-capped Kaikoura Mountains. The fishing village is famed for its abundance of marine life and whale-watching opportunities. Board a local boat for the chance to see sperm whales – the most frequently sighted – plus humpback, minke and orca whales. Learn a wealth of information about whales as you view them at close range. Also watch for a wide range of sea life, including Hector’s dolphins, fur seals and several varieties of albatross, shearwaters and petrels. | Day
09 | Lyttleton / Christchurch December 23, 2010
Drive to nearby Christchurch to absorb its distinctly Anglican atmosphere on a walking tour. Visit Cathedral Square and the magnificent Christchurch Cathedral built in 1864. Stroll past the landmark Edwardian Regent Theatre, façade of the former Clarendon Hotel and historic colonial architecture. Continue to the Old Provincial Chambers, Victoria Square, Christchurch Town Hall, the Methodist Church, Cranmer Square, Christ’s College, the Botanical Gardens and Canterbury Museum. Choose to spend time at the gardens or the museum. Or stroll to the Arts Center to enjoy free time. Ride the Christchurch Tramway to return Cathedral Square and the ship for lunch.
In the afternoon, you may return to Christchurch on a shuttle bus, to explore further on your own or to go punting along the Avon River – Christchurch’s version of Venetian gondolas. | Day
10 | Dunedin December 24, 2010
Drive along the scenic shores of narrow Otago Harbor to Dunedin, the South Island’s second largest city. Enjoy a highlight tour of this Scottish-flavored city, home to New Zealand’s oldest University of Otago and fine Botanical Gardens. Then visit the Royal Albatross Colony on Taiaroa Head. Learn about these extraordinary birds – with wing spans of nearly 10 feet – at the Royal Albatross Centre and watch their soaring antics from the observatory. Continue to Larnach Castle, an impressive stone mansion constructed 1871 to1885 by financier, businessman and politician, William Larnach. Marvel at the exceptional design by English and Italian artisans who created its curving hanging staircase, carved ceilings and many antique furnishings. Then drive to Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens to enjoy lunch and its impressive gardens. | Day
11 | Stewart Island December 25, 2010
Watch for muttonbirds (sooty shearwaters) as the ship arrives near Stewart Island, New Zealand’s southernmost inhabited island. Here Ulva Island and its Rakiura National Park dazzle with stunning natural beauty, rare trees and vegetation, and native birds ranging from little blue penguins to parakeets. The park is home to 70 species of birds found nowhere else in the world – a third flightless and nearly a quarter nocturnal. Learn from local guides as you walk in small groups through this amazing preserve. This evening, celebrate the holidays with a festive dinner on board. | Day
12 | Fiordland National Park December 26, 2010
Cruise into Fiordland National Park, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is a spectacular series of dramatic fiords and inlets where sheer mountains soar out of the sea. Emerald green rainforest covers the shore with tangled vines, epiphytes and tree ferns. Follow in the wake of Captain Cook, who visited Dusky and Doubtful Sounds in 1770 and 1773. Anchor off Astronomers Pointin Dusky Sound and go ashore to learn about the Cook history. Here he refitted and resupplied his ship with fresh water. Watch for wildlife, including little blue penguins, fur seals and bottlenose dolphins. Enjoy scenic cruising through Doubtful Sound. | Day
13 | Milford Sound December 27, 2010
Experience the most renowned area of Fiordland National Park – Milford Sound. Cruise into its narrow passage with sheer rock faces rising over 3,900feet on either side. Mitre Peak, at over a mile high, dominates with its iconic pyramid-shape. Waterfalls cascade down the rainforest-covered mountainsides, chiseled by glaciers eons ago. Enjoy a morning of amazing cruising, then head into the Tasman Sea toward Australia. (Zodiac landing or touring)
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14 | At Sea December 28, 2010
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15 | At Sea December 29, 2010
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16 | Sydney, Australia December 30, 2010
Arrive late at night in Sydney Harbor. Watch for spectacular views of the city lights on deck, as the ship passes by the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
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17 | Sydney, Australia December 31, 2010
Enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere that is New Year’s Eve day in Sydney. View one of the most beautiful harbors on earth and explore this fabulous city on your own. This evening enjoy a festive dinner and celebration on board. Watch the spectacular fireworks over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House from the ship’s dock. Or walk closer to the festivities and celebrate with Sydney Harbor local revelers. | Day
18 | Sydney, Australia January 1, 2011
Disembark or continue your journey with the next voyage.
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All meals are included aboard the ship. |
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